CN116867384A

CN116867384A - Aerosol generating device

Info

Publication number: CN116867384A
Application number: CN202380010221.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李昶勋; 李源暻; 曹柄盛; 洪喜贞
Original assignee: KT&G Corp
Current assignee: KT&G Corp
Priority date: 2022-01-20
Filing date: 2023-01-18
Publication date: 2023-10-10
Also published as: JP2024508394A; EP4258914A1; KR20230112363A; EP4258914A4; WO2023140615A1; KR102663247B1

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol-generating device comprising a heater configured to heat a first aerosol-generating substrate inserted into a cavity, a vaporizer configured to heat a second aerosol-generating substrate, and a controller configured to control power supplied to the heater and the vaporizer based on a first mode for generating a smokeless aerosol and a second mode for generating a smoky aerosol.

Description

Aerosol generating device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol-generating device capable of generating smokeless and aerosol aerosols.

Background

Recently, there has been an increasing need for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing need for methods of generating aerosols by heating the aerosol-generating substance in a cigarette or liquid reservoir, rather than by burning the cigarette.

However, in the aerosol-generating device according to the related art, it is impossible to switch from the mode for generating smokeless-type aerosols to the mode for generating aerosol-type aerosols.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

The technical problem underlying the present disclosure is to provide an aerosol-generating device that can be switched between a smokeless mode and a smoke mode.

The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the above description, and other technical problems may also be derived from the embodiments described below.

Technical proposal

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol-generating device comprises: a heater configured to heat a first aerosol-generating substrate inserted into the cavity; a vaporizer configured to heat a second aerosol-generating substrate; and a controller configured to control power supplied to the heater and the vaporizer based on a first mode for generating the smokeless aerosol and a second mode for generating the aerosol.

Advantageous effects

According to the present disclosure, an aerosol-generating device is provided in which it is possible to switch from a smokeless mode for generating a smokeless aerosol to a smoke mode for generating a smokeless aerosol.

The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and further various effects are included in the present specification.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a view of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment;

fig. 2 is a view of a first aerosol-generating substrate according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a view of an intake substrate according to an embodiment;

fig. 4 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment;

fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view of a heater according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a top side view of a heater according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a top side view of a heater according to another embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a heater according to an embodiment; and

fig. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of the aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment.

Detailed Description

Best mode for carrying out the invention

The heater may include: a support configured to form a bottom surface of the cavity; and a heating element disposed at a central portion of the support, and into which the first aerosol-generating substrate is inserted.

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise an airflow path over which aerosol generated from the second aerosol-generating substrate flows, and the support may comprise a plurality of through holes arranged at a distance from the central portion greater than the preset separation distance, such that the airflow path and the cavity communicate with each other.

The size of the plurality of through holes may increase as approaching from the central portion of the support to the outside of the support.

The plurality of through holes may include: a first through hole group disposed within a range of a first separation distance to a second separation distance from a central portion of the support and having a first diameter; and a second group of through holes arranged in a range from the second separation distance to the third separation distance from the central portion and having a second diameter larger than the first diameter.

The controller may supply power to the heater in the first mode, and may cut off power to the vaporizer.

The controller may supply power to the heater and the vaporizer according to a first sub-mode included in the second mode when the first aerosol-generating substrate is inserted into the cavity in the second mode.

When an inhaled mass different from the first aerosol-generating mass is inserted into the cavity in the second mode, the controller may cut off power supplied to the heater and supply power to the vaporizer according to a second sub-mode included in the second mode.

The first aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a tobacco rod and a filter rod, and the inhalation substrate may comprise a filter rod without a tobacco rod.

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise an input unit configured to receive a user input, wherein the controller may control the power according to a first mode or a second mode based on the user input.

Aspects of the invention

As terms for describing various embodiments, general terms that are currently widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the meaning of these terms may vary depending on the intent, judicial cases, the advent of new technology, and the like. Furthermore, in some cases, terms that are not commonly used may be selected. In this case, the meaning of the term will be described in detail at the corresponding part in the description of the present disclosure. Thus, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

Furthermore, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprising" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. Furthermore, the terms "-means", "-means" and "module" described in this specification refer to units for processing at least one function and/or operation, and may be implemented by hardware components or software components, and combinations thereof.

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown so that those having ordinary skill in the art may readily implement the disclosure. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a view of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.

The aerosol-generating device 1 shown in fig. 1 comprises components relevant to the embodiment. Thus, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other general components than those shown in fig. 1 may also be included in the aerosol-generating device 1.

Referring to fig. 1, the aerosol-generating device 1 may include a battery 11, a controller 12, a heater 130, and a vaporizer 14. Furthermore, the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3 may be inserted into the interior space of the aerosol-generating device 1.

The first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may be a cigarette. Furthermore, the inhalation substrate 3 may be in the form of a cigarette and may not comprise a cigarette media portion. The first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalation substrate 3 will be described later with reference to fig. 2 and 3.

When the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1, the aerosol-generating device 1 may operate the heater 13 and/or the vaporiser 14 to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generated by the heater 13 and/or the vaporiser 14 passes through the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3 and is delivered to the user.

If necessary, the aerosol-generating device 1 may heat the heater 13 even when the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3 is not inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1.

The battery 11 may provide power for operating the aerosol-generating device 1. For example, the battery 11 may supply power for heating the heater 13 and/or the carburetor 14, and may supply power required for operating the controller 12. Further, the battery 11 may supply electric power required for operating a display, a sensor, a motor, or the like mounted in the aerosol-generating device 1.

The controller 12 may control the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device 1. In detail, the controller 12 may control the operation of other components included in the aerosol-generating device 1 in addition to the battery 11, the heater 13 and the vaporizer 14. Furthermore, the controller 12 may check the status of each of the components of the aerosol-generating device 1 to determine if the aerosol-generating device 1 is operational.

The controller 12 may include at least one processor. A processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, and may also be implemented as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and memory in which a program to be executed by the microprocessor is stored. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the processor may be implemented by hardware having other shapes.

The heater 13 may be heated by electric power supplied from the battery 11. For example, the heater 13 may be located in the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 when the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1. Thus, the heated heater 13 may increase the temperature of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2.

When the inhalation matrix 3 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1, the heater 13 may be located in the inhalation matrix 3 and may not be heated. This is because the inhalation matrix 3 is used to filter the aerosol generated by the vaporiser 14 and provides resistance to inhalation. In other words, the inhalation substrate 3 need not be heated, as it does not comprise a portion of the cigarette medium.

The heater 13 may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater 13 may include an electrically conductive track (track), and the heater 13 may be heated when an electric current flows through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 13 is not limited to the above example, and may not be limited as long as the heater can be heated to a desired temperature. Again, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol-generating device 1 and may also be set by the user.

As another example, the heater 13 may be an induction heating type heater. In detail, the heater 13 may comprise an electrically conductive wire for heating the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 by using an induction heating method, and the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may comprise a susceptor for generating heat by an induction heating method.

For example, the heater 13 may comprise a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 depending on the shape of the heating element.

In an embodiment, a plurality of heaters 13 may be arranged in the aerosol-generating device 1. In this case, the plurality of heaters 13 may be arranged to be inserted into the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3, or may be arranged outside the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3. Furthermore, a part of the plurality of heaters 13 may be arranged to be inserted into the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3, and another part of the plurality of heaters 13 may be arranged outside the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3. Further, the shape of the heater 13 is not limited to the shape shown in fig. 1, but may be manufactured in various shapes.

The vaporizer 14 may generate an aerosol by heating the liquid composition, and the generated aerosol may pass through the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3, and may be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated by the vaporiser 14 may move along the airflow path of the aerosol-generating device 1, and the airflow path may be configured to allow the aerosol generated by the vaporiser 14 to pass through the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3 and be delivered to the user.

For example, vaporizer 14 may comprise a liquid storage portion, a liquid transfer element, and a vaporization element. For example, the liquid reservoir, the liquid delivery element and the vaporising element may be separate modules and may be included in the aerosol-generating device 1. For example, vaporizer 14 may be referred to as a cartomizer (cartomizer) or nebulizer, although embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

The liquid reservoir may store a second aerosol-generating substrate. The second aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid comprising a tobacco-containing substance, wherein the tobacco-containing substance comprises volatile tobacco aroma components. Alternatively, the liquid composition may be a liquid comprising a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage portion may be manufactured to be separable from the carburetor 14, or may be manufactured integrally with the carburetor 14.

For example, the liquid composition may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, flavors, fragrances, and vitamin mixtures. The flavor may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit flavor ingredients, but is not limited thereto. The flavoring agent may include ingredients capable of providing various flavors or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin a, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the liquid composition may include aerosol-forming substances such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The liquid delivery element may deliver the liquid composition in the liquid reservoir to the heating element. For example, the liquid transfer element may include a core, such as cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, or porous ceramics, although embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

The vaporizing element may be an element for vaporizing the liquid composition transferred by the liquid transfer element.

The vaporization element may heat the liquid composition to generate an aerosol. Alternatively, the vaporizing element may vibrate the liquid composition to generate an aerosol.

When the vaporization element generates an aerosol by using a heating method, the vaporization element may heat the liquid composition by using a method of resistive heating and/or inductive heating. For example, the vaporizing element may include a metal wire, a metal plate, a ceramic heating coil, etc., but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Further, the vaporizing element may comprise a conductive wire, such as a nichrome wire, and may be arranged to be wound around the liquid delivery element. The vaporizing element may be heated by a supplied electric current, and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the vaporizing element for transferring heat, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol can be generated.

When the vaporization element generates an aerosol by employing a vibration method, the vaporization element may include a vibrator for generating ultrasonic vibrations, a liquid delivery element, and a vibration receiving portion for generating an aerosol by delivering ultrasonic vibrations to an aerosol-generating substrate absorbed into the liquid delivery element. The vibrator may generate vibrations of a short period. The vibration generated from the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency of the ultrasonic vibration may be, for example, 100kHz to 3.5MHz. The aerosol-generating substrate may be vaporised and/or granulated and atomised into an aerosol by short-period vibrations generated from the vibrator. The vibrator may comprise a piezoelectric element, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic. The vibrator may generate vibrations (physical forces) by the applied electricity, and due to such small physical vibrations, the aerosol-generating substrate may be divided into small particles and may be atomized into an aerosol. The liquid delivery element may deliver aerosol-generating substrate in a liquid reservoir within the cartridge to the vibration-receiving portion, and the vibration-receiving portion may perform the function of converting aerosol-generating substrate delivered by the liquid delivery element by receiving vibrations generated by the vibrator. Meanwhile, the vibration receiving portion may be implemented in a mesh shape or a plate shape without a separate liquid delivery element, so that the vibration element may generate an aerosol by receiving vibration together with absorption and delivery of the aerosol-generating substrate.

The aerosol-generating device 1 may comprise general components in addition to the battery 11, the controller 12, the heater 13 and the vaporiser 14. For example, the aerosol-generating device 1 may comprise a display for outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting tactile information. Furthermore, the aerosol-generating device 1 may comprise at least one sensor (e.g. a puff detection sensor, a temperature detection sensor, a cigarette insertion detection sensor, etc.). Furthermore, the aerosol-generating device 1 may be manufactured such that external air may be introduced or internal air may be expelled even when the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is inserted.

Although not shown, the aerosol-generating device 1 may constitute a system with further carriers. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 11 of the aerosol-generating device 1. Alternatively, the heater 13 and the vaporizer 14 may be operated in a state where the bracket and the aerosol-generating device 1 are coupled to each other.

The first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalation substrate 3 may resemble a conventional combustion type cigarette. For example, the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may be divided into: a first portion comprising a compound for generating an aerosol; and a second portion including a filter or the like. The compound for generating an aerosol may also be included in the second part of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2. For example, an aerosol-generating compound in the form of particles or capsules may be inserted into the second part. Similarly, the intake substrate 3 may be divided into a first portion and a second portion. The inhalation matrix 3 may not comprise a compound for generating an aerosol. In other words, the first and second portions of the intake substrate 3 may comprise filters or the like. According to an embodiment, the second portion of the inhalation matrix 3 may be in the form of particles or capsules and may comprise a compound for imparting a fragrance to the aerosol generated by the vaporiser 14.

The first part may be fully inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1 and the second part may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a part of the first part may be inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1, and a part of the second part and the entire first part may be inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1. The user may inhale the aerosol while maintaining the second portion with the user's mouth. In this case, the aerosol generated by the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the vaporiser 14 passes through the first and second portions and is delivered to the mouth of the user.

The outside air may flow into at least one air channel formed in the aerosol-generating device 1. For example, the opening and closing of the air channel and/or the size of the air channel formed in the aerosol-generating device 1 may be adjusted by the user. Thus, the amount of smoking and the smoking sensation can be adjusted by the user. As another example, external air may flow into the cigarette via at least one hole formed in the surface of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3.

Next, an example of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalation substrate 3 will be described with reference to fig. 2 and 3.

Fig. 2 is a view illustrating a first aerosol-generating substrate according to an embodiment, and fig. 3 is a view illustrating an inhalation substrate according to an embodiment.

Referring to fig. 2, the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may comprise a tobacco rod 21 and a filter rod 22. The first portion described above with reference to fig. 1 may comprise a tobacco rod 21 and the second portion may comprise a filter rod 22.

Fig. 2 illustrates the filter rod 22 as a single element. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 22 may comprise a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod 22 may include a section for cooling the aerosol and a section for filtering certain components included in the aerosol. Furthermore, the filter rod 22 may also include at least one segment that performs other functions, if necessary.

The first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may be packaged by at least one package 24. At least one hole for introducing external air or exhausting internal air may be formed in the package 24. In an example, the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may be packaged by a single package. In another example, the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may be packaged by two or more packages. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be wrapped by the first wrapper 241 and the filter rod 22 may be wrapped by the wrappers 242, 243, and 244. The first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may then be repackaged by another single package 245. If filter rod 22 includes multiple segments, the multiple segments may be packaged by packages 242, 243, and 244, respectively.

The tobacco rod 21 may include an aerosol-generating substance. When the tobacco rod 21 is heated, no visible smoke is produced. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may comprise Propylene Glycol (PG). Furthermore, the aerosol-generating substance may not comprise Vegetable Glycerin (VG).

The tobacco rod 21 may contain additional additive materials such as flavoring agents, humectants, and/or organic acids. In addition, the tobacco rod 21 may be added by spraying a flavored liquid, such as menthol or a humectant, to the tobacco rod 21.

The tobacco rod 21 may be manufactured in various ways. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be manufactured as a sheet or a bundle. Further, the tobacco rod 21 may be manufactured by cutting a tobacco sheet into small pieces. The tobacco rod 21 may also be surrounded by a thermally conductive material. For example, the thermally conductive material may be a metal foil, such as an aluminum foil. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the thermally conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 may uniformly disperse heat transferred to the tobacco rod 21 to improve thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod, thereby improving taste of the tobacco. Further, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 may function as a base that is heated by an induction heating type heater. In this case, although not shown, the tobacco rod 21 may include an additional base in addition to the heat conductive material surrounding the outside of the tobacco rod 21.

The filter rod 22 may be a cellulose acetate filter. The shape of the filter rod 22 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 22 may be a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod including a hollow portion therein. Further, the filter rod 22 may be a concave rod. If the filter rod 22 includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may be manufactured in another shape.

Furthermore, at least one capsule 23 may be included in the filter rod 22. Here, the capsule 23 may perform a function of generating a fragrance, and generate an aerosol. For example, the capsule 23 may have a structure in which a liquid film containing a fragrance is wrapped. The capsule 23 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

Referring to fig. 3, the inhalation substrate 3 may cool the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14 and may provide resistance to inhalation.

In contrast to the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 of fig. 1, the inhalation substrate 3 may not comprise a tobacco rod 21. The inhalation matrix 3 may comprise a cooling bar 31 and a filter bar 32. The first part described above with reference to fig. 1 may comprise a cooling rod 31 and the second part may comprise a filter rod 32.

The intake substrate 3 may be packaged by at least one package 34. At least one hole for introducing external air or exhausting internal air may be formed in the package 34. Furthermore, the inhalation substrate 3 may be packaged by a single package. In another example, the intake substrate 3 may be packaged by two or more packages 34. For example, the cooling rod 31 may be packaged by the first package 341, and the filter rod 32 may be packaged by the packages 342, 343, and 344. The first aerosol-generating substrate 3 may then be repacked by a further package 343.

The cooling rod 31 may cool the aerosol generated by the vaporizer. In addition, the cooling bar 31 may further include a structure for imparting suction resistance. The filter rod 32 may be a cellulose acetate filter. The shape of the filter rod 32 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 32 may be a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod including a hollow portion therein. Further, the filter rod 32 may be a concave rod.

Furthermore, at least one capsule 33 may be included in the filter rod 32. Here, the capsule 33 may perform a function of generating fragrance. For example, the capsule 33 may have a structure in which a liquid film containing a fragrance is wrapped. The capsule 33 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

Fig. 4 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to fig. 4, the aerosol-generating device 1 according to the embodiment may include a controller 120, a battery 110, a heater 130, a vaporizer 140, a substrate detector 180, an output unit 160, an input unit 170, and a memory 150. The battery 110, the controller 120, the heater 130, and the vaporizer 140 in fig. 4 may correspond to the battery 11, the controller 12, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14 in fig. 1, respectively.

The controller 120 may commonly (collectively) control the battery 110, the first heater 130, the vaporizer 140, the memory 150, the input unit 160, the output unit 170, and the matrix detector 180 included in the aerosol-generating device 1.

The battery 110 may supply power to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140, and the magnitude of the power supplied to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140 may be adjusted by the controller 120.

The heater 130 may generate the first aerosol by heating the first aerosol-generating substrate 2. When an electric current is applied to the heater 130, heat may be generated by a unique (unique) resistor, and when the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is in contact (coupled) with the heated heater 130, an aerosol may be generated.

The first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may be a solid substrate that generates a smokeless aerosol. Smokeless aerosols may be referred to by other terms having the same meaning, such as invisible vapor. For example, the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may comprise Propylene Glycol (PG). Furthermore, the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may not comprise plant glycerol (VG).

The vaporizer 140 may comprise a liquid storage 141 for storing the second aerosol-generating substrate and a vaporizing element 142 for vaporizing the second aerosol-generating substrate. The vaporization element 142 may be powered from the battery 110. Further, the vaporization element 142 may generate a second aerosol from the second aerosol-generating substrate by a heating method and/or an ultrasonic vibration method.

The second aerosol-generating substrate may be a liquid for generating a aerosol of aerosol. Smokeless aerosols may be referred to by other terms having the same meaning, such as invisible vapor.

The controller 120 may control the power supplied from the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140. The controller 120 may control power to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140 by controlling the battery 110. The power supplied from the vaporizer 140 may be transferred to the vaporizing element 142, and may generate a aerosol of smoke.

The controller 120 may control the power supplied to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140 by a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) method. To this end, the controller 120 may include a PWM module.

The controller 120 may control the power supplied to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140 to heat the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the second aerosol-generating substrate.

The controller 120 may control the power supplied to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140 based on a first mode for generating a smokeless-type aerosol and a second mode for generating a smoky aerosol.

The controller 120 may supply power to the heater 13 in the first mode for generating smokeless aerosols and may shut off power to the vaporizer 140. The first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may be heated by the heater 130 to generate an aerosol. Because the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 comprises a compound for generating a smokeless-type aerosol, the first aerosol may be a smokeless-type aerosol.

When the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is inserted in the second mode for generating aerosol of smoke, the control unit 120 may supply power to the heater 130 and the vaporiser 140 according to the first sub-mode. The vaporizer 140 may generate a second aerosol from a second aerosol-generating substrate. Because the second aerosol-generating substrate comprises a compound for generating a smokeless-type aerosol, the second aerosol may be a smokeless-type aerosol. The second aerosol may pass through the second aerosol-generating substrate 2 and may be delivered to the user together with the first aerosol. In the first sub-mode, the second aerosol, which is a smoke-type aerosol, is delivered to the user together with the first aerosol, and thus the first sub-mode may be referred to as a smoke mode.

When the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is inserted in the second mode for generating aerosol of aerosol type, the controller 120 may cut off the power supplied to the heater 130 and may supply power to the vaporiser 140 according to the second sub-mode. The second aerosol, which is a smoke-type aerosol, may pass through the inhalation matrix 3 and may be delivered to the user.

In an embodiment, information about the substrate inserted into the cavity may be obtained by the substrate detector 180. For example, the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalation substrate 3 may comprise different magnetic substances, and the substrate detector 180 may determine the type of substrate inserted into the cavity from the change in inductance generated based on the insertion of the substrate. However, the method of determining the type of the substrate is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the input unit 160 may receive a user input for selecting a mode, and the controller 120 may control power supplied to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140 according to a first mode or a second mode based on the user input. For example, the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3 may be inserted into the chamber according to the user's choice and the aerosol-generating device 1 may be operated in the first mode or the second mode according to the user instructions received by the input unit 160.

If the inhalation matrix is inserted into the chamber, the heater 130 may not be heated even if the controller 120 receives an input signal for selecting the first mode or the second sub-mode from the user. This is to prevent carbonization of the intake substrate due to heating of the first portion, as the first portion of the intake substrate comprises a cooling rod instead of a tobacco rod.

The output unit 170 may output visual information and/or tactile information related to the aerosol-generating device 1. For example, the controller 120 may obtain information about the substrate inserted into the cavity from the substrate detector 180, and may output the information about the substrate through the output unit 170. In another example, the controller 120 may obtain the mode selection information received by the input unit 160, and may control the output unit 170 to output the mode selection information.

The memory 150 may store various information for operating the aerosol-generating device 1. For example, the memory 150 may store a look-up table for identifying the substrate to be inserted into the cavity. In another example, the memory 150 may store temperature profile information for the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140 in each mode.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to fig. 5, the aerosol-generating device 1 may comprise a heater 130 and a vaporiser 140.

The heater 130 may comprise a support 135 forming a bottom surface of the cavity 510 and a heating element 131 inserted into the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3. The heating element 131 may be arranged in the central portion O of the support 135 and may pierce the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or inhale the substrate 3. The first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalation substrate 3 may be solid substrates. The heating element 131 may generate the first aerosol by heating the first aerosol-generating substrate 2. The heating element 131 may not heat the inhalation matrix 3 when it is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1. The support 135 may include at least one through hole 136, and the air flow paths 145 of the chambers, which will be described later, may be in fluid communication with each other through the through hole 136.

The vaporizer 140 may be installed in an alternative manner and may include a liquid storage portion 141 and a vaporizing element 142. The liquid reservoir 141 may store a second aerosol-generating substrate 144 for generating aerosol. The second aerosol-generating substrate 144 may be a liquid composition. The vaporization element 142 may generate a second aerosol from a second aerosol-generating substrate 144, the second aerosol being a aerosol of aerosol type. To this end, the vaporizing element 142 may include a liquid delivery element and a heating element. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the heating method as the method of generating the second aerosol. For example, the vaporization element 142 of the present disclosure may generate the second aerosol by using an ultrasonic method.

The vaporizer 140 may include a communication hole 143 through which the second aerosol is discharged, and the communication hole 143 may be in fluid communication with the airflow path 145. The airflow path 145 may be disposed below the support 135 and may be in fluid communication with the cavity 510 through the through-holes 136 formed in the support 135. Thus, the second aerosol generated in the second mode may be transferred to the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3 through the airflow path 145 and the through holes 136.

In more detail, when the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is inserted into the cavity 510 in the first sub-mode comprised in the second mode, the second aerosol generated by the vaporizer 140 may pass through the airflow path 145 and the through-hole 136 and may be transferred to the first aerosol-generating substrate 2. Furthermore, since the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is heated in the first sub-mode, the first aerosol generated from the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may be delivered to the user together with the second aerosol.

When the inhalation substrate 3 is inserted into the chamber 510 in the second sub-mode included in the second mode, the second aerosol generated by the vaporizer 140 may pass through the airflow path 145 and the through-hole 136 and may be transferred to the inhalation substrate 3. In this case, since the inhalation matrix 3 is not heated in the second sub-mode, only the second aerosol can be delivered to the user.

In the first mode, the vaporizing element 142 is not heated and thus only the first aerosol generated in the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is delivered to the user.

Fig. 6 is a view of a heater according to an embodiment.

Referring to fig. 6, the heater 130 may comprise a heating element 131 inserted into the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3, and a support 135 supporting the heating element 131. The heating element 131 may extend in the length direction of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalation substrate 3 to correspond to at least a portion of the entire length of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalation substrate 3. The heating element 131 may have a cylindrical or rod shape, the diameter of the heating element 131 being smaller than the diameters of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalation substrate 3. The length of the heating element 131 may be set smaller than the length of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalation substrate 3. In this case, the length may refer to a dimension in a length direction in which the central axis of the heating element 131 extends.

The shape of the heating element 131 is not limited to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, and various modifications may be made. For example, the diameter of the heating element 131 may be modified to be larger or smaller than that shown in fig. 6, and may be manufactured in a shape such as a needle.

One end 132 of the heating element 131 has a tapered shape such that the one end 132 of the heating element 131 can be easily inserted into the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalation substrate 3.

The support 135 may be coupled with the heating element 131 and may maintain the position of the heating element 131. The support 135 may extend outwardly from the heating element 131 such that when the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3 is inserted into the chamber 510, the end of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or inhalation substrate 3 is supported by the support 135.

The heating element 131 may be coupled by piercing the support 135 or may be coupled to the support 135 by a coupling member. However, the coupling method of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the heating element 131 and the supporter 135 may be coupled by a bayonet mounting fastening structure, may be coupled by a screw coupling method, or may be coupled by an insert injection method.

The support 135 may include a plurality of through holes 136, through which the airflow path 145 and the chamber communicate with each other. Further, in order to prevent the second aerosol from adhering to the heating element 131, a plurality of through holes 136 may be provided at the following distances from the central portion O of the support 135: this distance is greater than the specific separation distance d. The diameter of the plurality of through holes 136 may be selected in the range of 0.5mm to 2 mm. Fig. 6 illustrates that the shape of the through hole 136 is circular. However, the shape of the through hole 136 is not limited thereto. For example, the shape of the through hole 136 may be formed in an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, or the like. Further, the arrangement of the through holes 136 is also not limited to the arrangement shown in fig. 6. For example, the through holes 136 may be arranged in an irregular manner.

Fig. 7 is a top side view of a heater according to an embodiment.

Referring to fig. 7, the supporter 135 may include a plurality of through holes 136, and the through holes 136 are disposed at a distance greater than the specific separation distance d from the central portion O. The separation distance d may be referred to as a reference distance d.

The plurality of through holes 136 may increase in size from the central portion O of the support 135 toward the outer side of the support 135. For example, a diameter of a first through hole disposed at a first distance from the central portion O of the support 135 may be smaller than a diameter of a second through hole disposed further from the central portion O of the support 135. In this case, the first distance may be greater than the first separation distance d.

Since the heating element 131 is provided at the central portion O of the support 135, the diameter of the through hole 136 provided near the central portion O can be set small, so that the aerosol generated in the carburetor 14 can be effectively prevented from adhering to the heating element 131.

Fig. 8 is a top side view of a heater according to another embodiment.

Referring to fig. 8, the supporter 135 may include a plurality of through holes 136, and the through holes 136 are disposed at a distance greater than a certain separation distance d from the central portion O. Further, the first through hole group 136a may be disposed in a range from a first separation distance d1 to a second separation distance d2 greater than the first separation distance d1 from the central portion O of the support 135. Further, the second through hole group 136b may be disposed in a range from the second separation distance d2 to a third separation distance d3 greater than the second separation distance d2 from the central portion O of the support 135. The first separation distance d1 may be greater than a preset reference distance d.

The diameter of the through holes 136 included in the first through hole group 136a may have a first diameter. The diameter of the through holes 136 included in the second through hole group 136a may have a second diameter. The first diameter may be smaller than the second diameter. As described with reference to fig. 7, the diameter of the first through hole group 136a disposed near the central portion O of the support 135 may be set small, so that the aerosol generated in the vaporizer 14 may be effectively prevented from adhering to the heating element 131. Further, unlike fig. 7, in fig. 8, the through holes in a specific region have the same diameter, so that convenience of manufacturing can be increased.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a heater according to an embodiment.

Referring to fig. 9, the supporter 135 may include a plurality of through holes 136, and the plurality of through holes 136 are disposed at a distance greater than the preset separation distance d from the central portion O.

The axial direction dix of the heating element 131 and the extending direction dia of the through hole 136 may intersect each other. In other words, the extending direction dia of the through hole 136 may be inclined with respect to the axial direction dix of the heating element 131. The angle between the axial direction dix of the heating element 131 and the extending direction dia of the through hole 136 may be set in a range of 5 degrees to 40 degrees.

By setting the extending direction dia of the through hole 136 to be inclined with respect to the axial direction dix of the heating element 131, the aerosol generated from the carburetor 14 can be more effectively prevented from adhering to the heating element 131.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to fig. 10, the input unit 160 may receive a user input in operation S1010. The user input may be an operation instruction for the following modes: a first mode for generating smokeless aerosols or a second mode for generating aerosol. The input unit 160 may convert user input into an electrical signal to transmit the electrical signal to the controller 120.

In operation S1020, the controller 120 may determine whether the user input is the first mode.

The first mode may be a mode of generating a smokeless aerosol. Smokeless aerosols may be referred to by other terms such as invisible vapor.

In operation S1030, when it is determined that the user input is the first mode, the controller 120 may supply power to the heater 130 and may cut off power to the carburetor 140.

As a result, the heater 130 may generate the first aerosol by heating the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 in the first mode. According to an embodiment, when it is determined that the suction substrate 3 is inserted into the cavity 510, the controller 120 may not supply power to the heater 130 even when a user input of the first mode is received. This is to prevent carbonization of the intake substrate due to heating of the first portion, as the first portion of the intake substrate comprises a cooling rod instead of a tobacco rod.

In operation S1040, when it is determined that the user input is not the first mode, the controller 120 may determine whether the user input is the second mode.

The second mode may be a mode in which a aerosol of aerosol is generated. Aerosol may be referred to by other terms such as visible vapor.

In operation S1050, when it is determined that the user input is the second mode, the controller 120 may determine whether the user input is the first sub-mode.

According to an embodiment, the controller 120 may operate in the first sub-mode according to the type of the substrate detected by the substrate detector 180 without a user inputting the first sub-mode. For example, when the substrate detector 180 detects the first aerosol-generating substrate 2, the controller 120 may operate in the first sub-mode.

In operation S1060, the controller 120 may supply power to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140 in the first sub-mode.

In the first sub-mode, the heater 130 may generate the first aerosol by heating the first aerosol-generating substrate 2. The vaporizer 140 may generate a second aerosol by heating the second aerosol-generating substrate 144. The first sub-mode may be included in the smoke mode because the visible vapor (i.e., the smoke-type aerosol) is generated by the second aerosol-generating substrate 144.

In operation S1070, when it is determined that the user input is not the first sub-mode, the controller 120 may determine whether the user input is the second sub-mode.

According to an embodiment, the controller 120 may operate in the second sub-mode according to the type of the substrate detected by the substrate detector 180 without a user inputting the second sub-mode. For example, when the substrate detector 180 detects the inhalation substrate 3, the controller 120 may operate in the second sub-mode.

In operation S1080, the controller 120 may cut off power supplied to the heater 130 and may supply power to the carburetor 140 in the second sub-mode.

In the second sub-mode, the vaporizer 140 may generate a second aerosol by heating the second aerosol-generating substrate 144. The inhalation matrix 3 may cool the second aerosol and present resistance to inhalation.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the above-described features. The disclosed methods should be considered in descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the disclosure is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope thereof will be construed as being included in the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising:

a heater configured to heat a first aerosol-generating substrate inserted into the cavity;

a vaporizer configured to heat a second aerosol-generating substrate; and

A controller configured to control power supplied to the heater and the vaporizer based on a first mode for generating a smokeless aerosol and a second mode for generating a smoky aerosol.

2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the heater comprises:

a support configured to form a bottom surface of the cavity; and

a heating element, the heating element being disposed in a central portion of the support, and the first aerosol-generating substrate being inserted into the heating element.

3. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, further comprising an airflow path over which aerosol generated from the second aerosol-generating substrate flows,

wherein the support includes a plurality of through holes arranged at a distance from the central portion greater than a preset separation distance so that the air flow path and the chamber communicate with each other.

4. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, wherein the size of each of the plurality of through holes increases from the central portion of the support towards the outside of the support.

5. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of through holes comprises:

a first through-hole group disposed within a range of a first separation distance to a second separation distance from the central portion of the support, and having a first diameter; and

a second group of through holes arranged in a range from a second separation distance to a third separation distance, and having a second diameter larger than the first diameter.

6. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to supply power to the heater and to cut off power to the vaporiser in the first mode.

7. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to: when the first aerosol-generating substrate is inserted into the cavity in the second mode, power is supplied to the heater and the vaporiser according to a first sub-mode included in the second mode.

8. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to: when the inhaled mass from the first aerosol-generating substrate is inserted into the cavity in the second mode, power to the heater is cut off and power is supplied to the vaporiser according to a second sub-mode included in the second mode.

9. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 8, wherein the first aerosol-generating substrate comprises a tobacco rod and a filter rod, and the inhalation substrate comprises a filter rod without a tobacco rod.

10. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, further comprising an input unit configured to receive user input, wherein the controller is further configured to control the power according to the first mode or the second mode based on the user input.